There’s not many more people in this world who perfectly embody the true image of rock n’ roll than Mike Fu*king Ness [Yes, I added an 'F' bomb in there just to draw emphasis on the subject matter].

Ness, a tattoo-claded, gritty-vocaled, booze-swigging, Gibson-strumming, rock-a-billy punk king, and the rest of his band Social Distortion (SxDx), will take the stage on “Black Friday” night at 7th Street’s Expo 5. Quite possibly the only Louisville venue and part of town suited for a band like SxDx to play in.

Mike Ness in 2005

After a 30+ year span with Social Distortion, Ness is the band’s only original and founding member playing in what is essentially his band. He’s the heart and soul of the music, needless to say. And although SxDx has had a steady flow of other members coming and going from the band over the years, Ness has maintained SxDx’s Bakersfield’ish-punk-rock-a-billy signature style since forming the band in 1978 in Fullerton, California.

For those of you going, make sure you wear your black shirts, and expect a rowdy crowd and a rowdy performance by Mike Ness and company as they roll through three decades worth of material. Rumor has it Ness takes audience requests pretty well so don’t be afraid to shout out what you want to hear. I know I will be. I’m also anticipating hearing at least one Johnny Cash cover; "Folsom Prison Blues" or "Ring of Fire" most likely. Either will do just fine.

And although good ole’ Mike Ness is everything that I’m sure most parents around here hope their kids don’t grow up to be, us real rock n’ roll junkies need guys like Ness out there. Yep, we need him. He’s part of a dying breed of real rock n’ roll musicians who step over the lines that are drawn for them not to cross. We need someone that we still can point our finger at and confidently say “that’s rock n’ roll.” Well, ladies and gentlemen, (or should I say boys and girls?) I present to you Mike Fu*king Ness.

**Jason Ashcraft is a freelance music writer who focuses on Kentucky's original music scene. Visit his blog at LouisvilleScuttlebutt.com or you scan this QR code on your smart phone to view the mobile site:

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Jason is a life-long Louisville native who grew up in the Highlands, and now resides in an undisclosed fortified location somewhere in Louisville. He's followed Louisville's rock music scene for almost 10 years, first as a concert promoter, then an artist manager, and now a music critic and reviewer. He's one crazy Jarhead who'll literally publish anything his mind conceives on impulse, so don't always expect him to follow the traditional laws of journalism. He has intent of reviving Hunter S. Thompson's “gonzo journalism” if only his editors will allow it...which they don't usually. Head over to LouisvilleScuttlebutt.com for more published rhetoric.